Reconnaissance Energy Africa Ltd. (ReconAfrica) identified multiple drilling prospects and new play types following integrated analysis of two stratigraphic test wells and first phase of 2D seismic in the onshore Kavango basin, northeast Namibia and northwest Botswana.
Initial exploration and development are being conducted in the first of five subbasins. The test wells and seismic data indicate a significant rift basin similar to petroleum provinces-rift basins onshore Africa and areas of the North Sea (OGJ Online Nov. 9, 2021).
The interpretation has established three groups of hydrocarbon opportunities: Karoo Rift Fill (light oil, primary), Intra-Rift Fault blocks (light oil, secondary), and Damara Fold Belt (new play, gas-gas condensate, secondary).
Six potential reservoir and four potential source rock intervals have been established in the basin so far.
The Damara Fold Belt was not anticipated in the original Kavango basin studies, but the structures appear coherent, mappable, and potentially large, the company said. An active combustible gas seep was found, indicative of thermogenic hydrocarbons and part of an active petroleum system, as confirmed by third-party analysis. The data supports the potential of more than one source rock system, including light oil and gas and gas condensate.
Seismic acquisition Phase 2 (about 600 km) is ongoing, emphasizing prospect definition and extension to the east and south.
Five drillable prospects have been identified as well as 18 leads in the first of five subbasins.
Pending drilling permits, ReconAfrica plans to initiate a multi-well drilling program, beginning with three test wells and a sidetrack of the 6-2 well (OGJ Online Aug. 9, 2021). These will be the first wells drilled into seismically defined traps with the objective to prove commerciality of the petroleum system. The company is targeting a second-quarter 2022 spud date for the first of the three wells.
ReconAfrica holds petroleum rights over the entire Kavango sedimentary basin comprising about 8.5 million acres.